The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1887-04-29
: The Turtle Mountains.

Boltineau, Oak is one of the mountain
towns Of the Turtle Mountains that,u up
heaval of nature which. from its peculiar
climate and fora, $50 different from the
surrounding plains,) possesses the greatest
attraction for the Dotanist and meteUrOlO-
gist, as well us n more practical interest 10
the homesteader who sees n It's forests
logs for dwellings and an inexhaustible
supply of fuel Botlineau has strong pre-
tions TO greatness for ii is the terminus of
the Bottineau branch of the st. Pau, Min
neapOis & Manitoba Railway, and it must
be Il depot Tor an extensive area of country
including the Cub Bank creek section,
west Of the Mouse River, rich in resources
and now easily accessible tor settlement.
There is 30 question but that Bottint au
offers the finest opportunities for good
business opnings, where persons with linn.
tied capital, commencing even in the tinan-
cial race, cin be sure Ia secure large
trade, because of the constant increase of
new business arising from settlement in
the surrounding egion, which already
rapid, from present indications, VIII swell
TO a mighty tide nowi hat communication
is made by raIl with the outside world
have heard much of the mountains and of
the mountain county, and it Is with feel
lngs of high anticipation that. in company
with friend and behind good team, we
take our way for day to the mountain.
At the start we have the steep slope Of the
mountain. forest crowned before us
while far 10 the right is the fiat topped
Bears Butte, and in the far distance, Butte
| ST. Paul, the summit OF each rising 800 or
900 feet above the plain. A drive of a
mile and we are al the beginning of the
| luly hnnnpNa NJ Wi l,arh
ridges between, while the foaming waters
of Oak creek run through the nd iacent
gorge.
Soon we are in dense growth of Young
timber, the long slopes are covered with
millions of trees and the view is essential
| ly that of forest region and in decided
contrast with the regulation Dakota land.
scape. A ride of twelve miles brings us
to Fish Lake, the topmost point of the
mountain and source OF Oak creek. Ii is
a charming sheet of water, with curving
sand washed shores, surrounded by the
| primeval forest. In n clearing, cut like a
square out of the forest. an old frontiers
man, Hart. with his family has located
on the lake Shore. Many are the stories
he can tell of adventure with the bear,
deer and moose, which range the noun
tain forests, and OF sport with the finny
tribes, which swarm in its thousand lakes.
But it is from the standpoint of utility
that the mountain possesses its greatest in
terest. Forty miles long and twenty widi
with a climate mild, and with much rain
in summer, and clear and dry in the winter
its forests offer perfect protection TO the
stock raiser of small means, while the many
hay meadows and open intervals furnish
an abundance of both summer and winter
feed. The rainy summers nourish II won
derful growth of native grasses and wild
pea vine, and mountain rancher main
tains that his forty head of cattle, thin and
weak from the long drive from Montana
after eight weeks on its succulent feed
were ready for the butcher. A wide bel
of fertile land surrounds the base of tho
montain like band, and is already wei
settled by sturdy Canadians and other ma
tionalities. A promising village. Dunseith
is midway of the base. and here are The
coal mines. only needing capital and {
demand for fuel, with the advent of thu
railroad, 10 he developed. ST. John, a
the east end of the mountain. is in tn,
county of Roette. and is in the edge o
the dense forest which here comes dowi
from the mountain to the level OF til,
plain.